Phase-Resolved Functional Lung MRI Reveals Perfusion Abnormalities in Postacute COVID-19 Syndrome

Motivation: The Pulmonary perfusion defects were unknown in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). Goal(s): To investigate the utility of phase-resolved functional lung (PREFUL) MRI in detecting pulmonary perfusion disturbances inPACS. Approach: Participants diagnosed with PACS were recruited, along with healthy (NCT05933317). The quantified parameter QDP derived from PREFUL MRI represents abnormal pulmonary blood flow. Results: 44 participants with PACS, and 43 healthy were assessed. QDP significantly exceeded healthy controls in PACS (39.81% ± 15.0% vs 8.2% ± 3.3%) and was notably higher in inpatients (46.8% ± 17.0% vs 34.5% ± 10.8%). Moreover, males exhibited higher QDP than females (43.9% ± 16.8% vs 34.4% ± 10.2%). Impact: PREFUL MRI demonstrates notable perfusion defects in participants with PACS.